These mechanisms instantly expose public role models, covering every success and every failure, now broadcast, making headline news. No longer does the privacy barrier exist between the private and public life for those that serve as mentors to a new generation of future leaders. From icons like Donald Trump’s $1 billion bankruptcy to Tiger Wood’s personal indiscretions that reportedly weigh heavily on the financial economics of the golf industry. In this regard, answers come from terms like Reallionaire or first becoming rich from inside out.

After a year’s worth of crisscrossing the state holding hearings on the lack of minority inclusion on various state contracts, state Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, has introduced a package of legislation aimed at increasing Minority- Women- and Disadvantaged-Business Enterprise inclusion in state jobs and building small business capacity.

BUILDING BUSINESS— State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, announces the introduction of 10 House  bills meant to increase participation by minority- and women-owned businesses on state contracts.

“This package of legislation would ensure that small businesses and minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged-owned businesses across Pennsylvania would receive a fair share of the state work funded by the taxes they and their employees pay,” said Wheatley during a Jan. 26 announcement of the bill’s’ introduction.

Get rid of the clutter

FEB. 10—The Pittsburgh Coaches Association will host “Get Rid of the Clutter, Make Room for Success!” from 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Grand Concourse, Board Room, 100 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square. Patty Kreamer will lead the session and discuss strategies to clear the clutter that impacts one’s income, gain more clients and profitable business, discover systems that can be transferred to one’s client and how to be more focused and set clear goals. Registration is requested and is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Workshop series

FEB. 10—Dress for Success will host their Workshop Series from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at their Career Center, Warner Center, 332 Fifth Ave., Downtown. As a part of the opening of their new center, every Wednesday there will be a workshop that covers topics such as “Basic Job Search Skills,” “Resume and Cover Letter Writing,” “Internet Basics and Online Job Searches” and “Mock Interviews and Tips.” Each workshop will begin with an informational session and follow with hands-on approaches. It is free of charge and open to all women. For more information, call 412-201-4204.

Professional networking

FEB. 11—Jessica Lee will host “Entrepreneurial Thursdays” from 5:30-8 p.m. at Little E’s, 949 Liberty Ave., Downtown. This week’s theme is “Entrepreneurial Couples-Happy Valentine’s Day Show.” This is a professional networking event with live jazz/ R&B music. There is a $10 cover charge with a full bar and dinner selections. Business casual is the attire. No jeans or tennis shoes. For more information, call Sandy Marshall at 412-802-6780 or visit www.jessicaleesong.com.

Business series

FEB. 11-The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host their Business Program Series from 12:15-1 p.m. at the Downtown & Business branch, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. The topic is “How to File Your Taxes Online.” Diana Smith, Tax Specialist for the Internal Revenue Service, will demonstrate how to file one’s taxes online using an IRS e-file provider. This method offers many advantages, including minimizing the possibility of errors and the ability to receive one’s refund within two weeks by having it directly deposited into their checking or savings account. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-281-7141.

Non-profit workshop

FEB. 12—The Duquesne University’s Non-profit Leadership Institute will host “The Non-profit Leadership Boarding School: Freshman Year” from 8-11:30 a.m. at the University’s Rockwell Hall, Room 220, 600 Forbes Ave., Uptown. This training program addresses the roles and responsibilities of non-profit board members. Attendees will be introduced to the non-profit sector, legal obligations of non-profit board members and other important aspects of non-profit governance. The cost is $50 per person or $35 per person for three or more individuals from the same non-profit. For more information, call 412-396-6231 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Microenterprise symposium

FEB. 20—The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh will host their 2nd Annual Microenterprise Symposium from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carnegie Mellon University. Tepper School of Business, 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland. There will be various workshops, lunch and a keynote address with Ruth Byrd-Smith, the director of Allegheny County Department of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Registration is requested and the cost is $45, which covers the workshops and lunch. For more information, call Alice Williams at 412-255-6743 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Certification & Contracting Workshop

FEB. 24—The U.S. Small Business Administration will host an 8(a) and HUBZone Certification & Contracting workshop from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 River Ave., 1st floor Conference Room, North Side. It is free to the public. MBE/WBE and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to attend. Registration is requested. For more information, call Marisa Fentzel at 412-395-6560 ext. 109.

(To have information on Business Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

by Darlene Superville

WASHINGTON (AP)—President Barack Obama’s bid to sell his economic agenda and re-energize voters picks up in politically significant New Hampshire, where he will again promote an idea to free up money for small businesses that are hurting.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Obama will travel to Nashua, N.H., to draw attention to a proposal highlighted in his State of the Union address last week: funneling $30 billion to local banks so they can lend small businesses money they need to grow their enterprises and create jobs.